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Post by timbarnes on Dec 6, 2010 16:54:47 GMT -5
Trails are frozen except for a few soft spots where the sun got through. These are slick but don't prohibit riding. Bundle up if you go - cold in the woods today. Fred S. looked pretty cold riding out of the trail to the Walnut Ridge picnic area!
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 8, 2010 18:25:05 GMT -5
Trails were muck this afternoon - got above freezing w/ a lot of sun. I don't think they could even be ridden if anyone wanted to.
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 9, 2010 19:08:02 GMT -5
Walked Sycamore late this afternoon. There were some soft areas, but it definitely wasn't muddy. I cleaned off the debris and removed a tree that had fallen across the trail. Also opened up some drains while removing some ruts caused by riding earlier this week. These were bad enough to throw a wheel once they froze. There are some leaves on the trail. Hope to do Walnut tomorrow.
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 11, 2010 10:26:10 GMT -5
Has rained, will rain, will snow, will freeze. Too bad to ride now - maybe next week after the freeze
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 14, 2010 15:09:40 GMT -5
Trails are frozen w/ about an inch of snow over them. Rode Sycamore and it was clear of big debris. There are a few more "leaners" but nothing over the trail now. I was surprised after the winds Sunday night. Lost traction a few times going uphill but think it was due to pulling the BOB trailer more than it being too slick. The gate is closed on the main road at the "Youth Camp" turnoff, so you have to ride the road about 3/4 of a mile to get to the trailhead. This will probably be opened back up tomorrow or Thursday. Will try to check out Walnut tomorrow.
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 16, 2010 15:21:47 GMT -5
Trails aren't passable now. The snow that's left has been saturated w/ freezing rain. Very, very slippery! Ice still clinging to everything, including overhanging branches that have drooped down. The access and park roads are still very slick w/ ice. The gates are closed on the main park roads denying access to the trailheads w/ the roads behind the gates even more treacherous. Will probably take a good thaw followed by a hard freeze before the trails can be ridden.
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 18, 2010 15:53:02 GMT -5
The gates on the main road are still closed - some slick spots on the road past them before you get to the trailhead. Its about a 3/4 mile ride from the gate. Hopefully, the gates will be opened Monday.
The trail is getting too soft by 2 pm with the sun out. The trails are primarily covered in slush except where the sun has melted through. Ride early before the thaw if you ride. The Sycamore Trail has already been damaged in a few places that will need some TLC when it can be worked on. This will be really bumpy frozen.
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 20, 2010 14:58:06 GMT -5
The gates on the main road are still closed due to ice on the hill to the river. The road is clear from the gates to the trailhead. State Park cool w/ parking at the gates and riding in. The trails are still decent as long as they aren't thawing. Walked Walnut and removed some debris. This trail hadn't been ridden past the Walnut Ridge Picnic area but cleared the trail anyway. Just don't ride if they get too soft. Thanks.
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Post by daniel240 on Dec 20, 2010 17:52:47 GMT -5
Hey Tim is there any snow left on the trails or has it all melted off?
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 21, 2010 19:23:01 GMT -5
The snow is melting rapidly and soaking into the ground on the trails. A light rain is falling in the park and what ice was on the trees has melted, raining down on the trails. A bike would really tear things up now. We're beginning to enter a long freeze/thaw pattern tomorrow that will continue until next week. Hopefully, we can ride then when the weather turns colder.
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Post by timbarnes on Dec 22, 2010 16:27:06 GMT -5
The snow and ice are gone. The State Park opened the gate on the main road and put up temporary barricades at the Sycamore Trailhead road so we can drive back now. The gate is still closed on the road down by the river so make sure you stay straight on the road to Sycamore and don't turn right to go down by the river. The trail gets too soft around 11 am to ride but is in pretty good shape until then, staying frozen 'til late morning. I tamped down the ruts on Sycamore and Walnut, especially on top of the hill after the second bridge, while the ground is soft. Walked Sycamore and cleaned off debris. Ready for the colder weather and snow to come in Friday. Should be great riding after that until it warms up again.
Happy Holidays everyone!!!
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Post by daniel240 on Dec 28, 2010 12:56:41 GMT -5
Anyone been to Harmonie in the last day or two? I was hoping to get a night ride in before it warms back up.
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Post by randy3tc on Dec 31, 2010 11:56:28 GMT -5
Does anybody know the condition of Harmonie today? Srsly? I'd imagine it's a very, very, muddy. |
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Post by randy3tc on Dec 31, 2010 13:07:56 GMT -5
Seriously. Scales Lake is dry. Wind dries out trails. Does anybody know if it is ridable today? I'm about 5 miles down the road from the park and my yard is like a muddy sponge. I'd usable the park is the same way especially in the low spots. I'll be driving past there later today, but probably not before the next batch of rain hits.  sorry |
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Post by freerideco on Dec 31, 2010 18:29:46 GMT -5
Thanks man. I had some time to kill while getting some work done at Dan's. I just rode around USI for a little bit and had a good time. Bombing through campus is pretty fun when nobody's around.
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sorry 